August 2006 Busch Series Archive

Hornish to run Busch and ARCA Races: UPDATE: Roger Penske said Saturday that he was working on a plan that would allow his IRL driver Sam Hornish Jr. to race in some NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA Series races next season. That would be in addition to a full IRL schedule for Hornish, who won the Indianapolis 500 this year. “Sam has talked about running some Busch or ARCA races, and we’re looking at a potential program,’’ Penske said before the Sharpie 500. “We haven’t put all the pieces together.” Although Penske used an ARCA, Busch and Nextel Cup program to develop the driver Ryan Newman before promoting him to the Cup series full-time, Penske said it was too early to say if Hornish would move up to compete in the Cup series by 2008.(New York Times)(8-28-2006)UPDATE: Reports that Indianapolis 500 champion Sam Hornish Jr. would be running races in the NASCAR Busch and ARCA Series next year in addition to his Indy Racing League schedule are premature. "There's no confirmation," Team Penske director of marketing and communications Chris Schwartz said. "They're considering a plan that would allow Sam to run some Busch and ARCA events next year. The details of that plan are tentative. Some people are thinking that this is something more than it really is."(Fort Worth Star Telegram)(8-31-2006)

McMurray Plans to Run Busch Races for Roush Next Season: From McMurray on Fox Sports Speed Mail: "I believe this will be my last season running for Rusty in the Busch Series. When I came over to Roush, I still had the deal with Rusty, which Roush was very understanding of. Next year, my plan is to run some Busch races for Roush because I really feel like it helps you prepare for Sunday's race".(FoxSports.com)(8-31-2006)

Katrina Hero Honorary #30 Crew Chief at California: Smith & Wesson Corp. honors its third law enforcement hero of the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season as Deputy Chief Anthony Cannatella of the New Orleans Police Department will serve as honorary crew chief of the #30 Smith & Wesson Chevy team of SKI Motorsports at the 2 Ameriquest 300 at California Speedway.(SKI PR)(8-31-2006)

America's Tire on Sorenson's Car at California: The #41 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Dodge will carry its primary sponsor's California and Oregon branded name-America's Tire-this weekend at California. Discount Tire/America's Tire is America's largest tire store and currently has more than 600 stores and four distribution centers in 19 states.(CGRFS PR)(8-30-2006)

Keselowski back in the #23 at California: Brad Keselowski will drive the #23 LoveFiFi.com Chevy in the Ameriquest 300.(Keith Coleman Racing PR)(8-29-2006)

FBR, Supercuts and Mexico's Fundacion Televisa to Give Away Hearing Aids: FitzBradshaw Racing along with Supercuts and Mexico's Fundacion Televisa have banded together this weekend at California Speedway to provide hearing aids to 50 hearing impaired children. This program is run with the help and support of Fundacion Televisa and Fundacion Venga y Oiga (come and hear). This program provides SIEMENS brand hearing aids to 100 hearing impaired children after each of the 14 races in the Desafio Corona Series in Mexico. The program also provides free medical services and medications to another 1,500 people in each city during the race season in Mexico. Israel Jaitovich, the programs founder, has selected California Speedway as the launching point for the charity's US debut.(FBR PR)(8-29-2006)

Wimmer in the #66 at California: Scott Wimmer returns to the seat of the #66 Duraflame Ford at California. It will be his 11th race with the team this season.(Brewco PR)(8-29-2006)

Rite-Aid on the #27 at California: This week’s Associate Sponsor is Rite-Aid Corporation, one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with annual revenues of more than $17.3 billion and approximately 3,320 stores in 27 states and the District of Columbia.(Brewco PR)(8-29-2006)

Kluever out? Ragan in? UPDATE 3: Ragan in #50 at California: Hearing Todd Kluever, driver of the #06 3M Ford, has two weeks to pick up his performance or Roush Racing's Truck Series driver, David Ragan could take over the Busch ride.(8-24-2006)UPDATE: Todd Kluever's struggles in Jack Roush's Busch and Nextel Cup Fords this season may open the door for David Ragan to move up in the sport. Roush Racing president Geoff Smith said Saturday that as part of the team's evaluation of driver talent, Ragan will drive the team's #50 [should be the #06?] Busch Series entry at California this week.(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(8-27-2006)UPDATE 2: David Ragan will replace Danny O'Quinn in the #50 Roush Racing Ford for this weekend's Busch Series race at California, a team spokesman confirmed Monday.(SceneDaily.com)(8-28-2006)UPDATE 3: Roush Racing announced today that David Ragan will drive the #50 FreeCreditReport.com Ford in the Ameriquest 300 in California. "My decision to put David in the car in California is not a reflection on Danny O'Quinn's performance," Jack Roush said. "I have a great group of young drivers in our developmental programs that I am simply evaluating and giving the opportunity to get some seat time in the different series. Danny will be back in the car in Richmond."(Roush PR)(8-29-2006)

Lepage Penalized by NASCAR: NASCAR announced today that Kevin Lepage, driver of the #56 Chevy in the NASCAR Busch Series, has been fined and placed on probation due to a rule violation at Bristol. Lepage was fined $10,000 for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing: hitting another competitor’s car during a caution period) of the Busch Series Rule Book. He was also placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2006.(NASCAR PR)(8-29-2006)

Canadian Busch Race Set? Two Canadian newspapers are reporting that a NASCAR Busch Series race will be held in Montreal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2007, with an announcement expected soon. The Gazette of Montreal reported the race will be announced after Labor Day, the first Monday of September. The Globe & Mail of Toronto said the announcement would be made once the Champ Car World Series race weekend was completed, which was Aug. 28. A NASCAR spokesperson said the '07 Busch Series schedule was likely to be announced the second or third weekend in September.(SceneDaily.com)(8-28-2006)

Rusty Wallace Joins Earth Biofiels, Inc. as Advisory Board Member: Earth Biofuels, Inc. today announced that legendary NASCAR-driver Rusty Wallace has joined the company's Advisory Board and will also act as a spokesperson for the company. Mr. Wallace joins fellow advisory board member Julia Roberts and Board of Directors members country music legend Willie Nelson and actor Morgan Freeman in promoting the use of renewable fuels such as Earth Biofuels’ biodiesel and ethanol.(RWI PR)(8-28-2006)

Leicht May Return To Busch Series: Robert Yates Racing may end up keeping driver Stephen Leicht, who was considered a possible successor to Dale Jarrett in the team's #88 Nextel Cup Ford, and sponsor CitiFinancial in the Busch Series for one more season. Asked if he had Busch Series plans completed for next season, team co-owner Doug Yates said that he thinks his sponsor is returning. "I believe CitiFinancial is going to be back with us next year in the Busch Series, one more year with Stephen Leicht as the driver and ... then moving to the Cup level in '08. That's our long-range plans.(SceneDaily.com)(8-28-2006)

Raybestos Rookie Notes for California: John Andretti was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Food City 250, grabbing a 14th-place finish. Andretti took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the eighth time this season and was the only first-year driver to finish on the lead lap. Andretti leads Burney Lamar by six points (190-184) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Ameriquest 300 at California. Andretti is 12th in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.(Raybestos PR)(8-28-2006)

Barrett in #36 for Tim Sauter at California: As a result of the [Bristol] accident [Friday night], Tim Sauter will sit out this week to recover and Stanton Barrett will take over the drivers seat at the fast two-mile track just east of Los Angeles.(McGill PR)(8-28-2006)

Rusty Wallace Joins Earth Biofiels, Inc. as Advisory Board Member: Earth Biofuels, Inc. today announced that legendary NASCAR-driver Rusty Wallace has joined the company's Advisory Board and will also act as a spokesperson for the company. Mr. Wallace joins fellow advisory board member Julia Roberts and Board of Directors members country music legend Willie Nelson and actor Morgan Freeman in promoting the use of renewable fuels such as Earth Biofuels’ biodiesel and ethanol.(RWI PR)(8-28-2006)

Contreras Back in the #12 at California: Carlos Contreras makes his return to the #12 Supercuts Dodge as the Busch Series heads west next weekend for the Ameriquest 300 Saturday at California.(FBR PR)(8-28-2006)

Bruce Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Kasey Kahne and Trip Bruce overcame a last-place starting position to score a top-five finish at Bristol. Using an off-sequence pit strategy, the duo made up 39 positions in the Food City 250. Bruce’s heads up call earned him the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award.(WYPALL PR)(8-28-2006)

Tim Sauter hospitalized after hard crash: UPDATE: Tim Sauter was admitted to a local hospital after being involved in a grinding crash late in the Food City 250 at Bristol. According to a NASCAR spokesperson, Sauter will be held overnight for observation. The sanctioning body expects an update on Sauter's condition Saturday morning. On lap 209 of 250, Sauter was involved in a multi-car crash off Turn 2. Aric Almirola spun, but NASCAR didn't throw the caution. Several cars slowed, but Burney Lamar didn't and also spun. Sauter spun his car to avoid Lamar's, but Shane Huffman got in the back of Jamie McMurray's car and sent both slamming into the near-prone car of Sauter. The driver side Sauter's #36 McGill Motorsports Chevy hit the SAFER barrier against the inside wall, and emergency workers took several minutes to pull Sauter from his car. NASCAR displayed the red flag, and after Sauter emerged from the car, he walked gingerly to an awaiting stretcher. After a short trip to the infield care center, Sauter was transported to Bristol Regional Medical Center. The extent of his injuries are unknown.(SceneDaily.com)(8-26-2006)UPDATE: Tim Sauter was released from Bristol Regional Medical Center on Saturday morning after being involved in a grinding crash late in the Food City 250 at Bristol on Friday night. Sauter was held overnight for observation and was released Saturday morning, a NASCAR spokesman said.(SceneDaily.com)(8-26-2006)

Get Well to Gene Nead: Speed Channel reported during Busch Series qualifying at Bristol that Gene Nead, crew chief of the #77 team, had a mild heart attack yesterday. He is expected to fully recover.(8-25-2006)

Earnhardt Jr. says $20K barely impacts wallet: Dale Earnhardt Jr. was not critical of the $20,000 fine given to Carl Edwards for ramming him after the Busch Series race last week at Michigan, but he said a fine like that won't do much to dissuade a driver who is making millions. "I felt like years ago we should have been stepping the fines up into the $100,000-$200,000 range," Earnhardt Jr. said Friday. "Nothing against Carl or the situation, but $10-, $15-, or $20-grand [penalties] don't mean anything to these guys, myself included." NASCAR Vice President Robin Pemberton said that Earnhardt Jr.'s view of the fine "is a personal observation and he's welcome to it," and that it was a harsher penalty than had been handed down in the past. Pemberton said NASCAR did consider "a lot of different scenarios" for penalties but decided against a point penalty. "We have not taken points away for a penalty like that as of yet, and historically, I think, the fine has been quite a bit less than that, right around the $5,000 range," Pemberton said Friday. "He is on probation through the end of the year. We figured $20,000 has been a substantial increase over what has been done in the Busch Series in the past."(SceneDaily.com)(8-25-2006)

Bill Davis Racing Looking to Get Back into Busch: Bill Davis Racing has secured its Nextel Cup future with Toyota as manufacturer and Jeremy Mayfield and Dave Blaney as drivers, and now the team is working on fielding a car in the NASCAR Busch Series. Davis said Friday he'd like to field two cars in Busch but is currently in discussions with a sponsor for one Camry in 2007. "We have got some Busch discussions going on," Davis said. "We would like to do that, if the right possibility presents itself." Who would drive the car is unclear, depending on what the potential sponsor wants. Davis said Mayfield and Blaney could split time in a car, or the two could share a seat with a younger driver.(SceneDaily.com)(8-25-2006)

NASCAR Putting Finishing Touches on Contract to Take Busch Series to Canada: According to a high-ranking NASCAR source, the sanctioning body is close to securing a Busch Series date north of the border for the 2007 season. Though not yet fully executed, the contract is some 95 percent complete and should be done within the week, the source said. Once complete, NASCAR plans to host a points-paying event at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course in Montreal, Quebec. The race's prospective date was not disclosed, but if NASCAR follows the format used in the Mexico City initiative, look for the Montreal event to fall on a Cup Series off-weekend, thereby enabling any interested Nextel Cup Series drivers to compete. Excluding Easter weekend, just one date is open: mid-July, between Chicago and Indianapolis.(NASCAR.com)(8-24-2006)

Pitts out as Crew Chief at RYR: Officials at Robert Yates Racing confirmed Wednesday that Jerry Pitts, crew chief on the Busch Series #90 Ford, has left the team. Skip Eyler has joined RYR to oversee the team until a permanent crew chief for driver Stephen Leicht and the #90 is found. Eyler comes to the team from Richard Childress Racing, where he is best known for working with driver Sarah Fisher during her brief stock car career. He will assume his interim role beginning with Friday's Busch series race at Bristol.(Sporting News)(8-24-2006)

Joe Gibbs Racing Working on 2007 Busch Plans: Joe Gibbs Racing Director of Busch Series Operations Steve deSouza said Aug. 18 that Aric Almirola would probably drive "around 15-plus" races in 2007 as the team realigns its Busch efforts. "But the plan right now is [for] him to run the full truck series," deSouza said. "We'll just have to fit him in [the Busch car] around that." Gibbs will continue to field two full-time Busch teams next year with Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley filling around 25 races each in those cars. deSouza said Tony Stewart would also run some Busch races for Gibbs. Candidates for the remaining races include development driver Woody Howard, Casey Atwood, and Kertus Davis.(NASCAR Scene)(8-24-2006)

JTG Setting 2007 Driver Lineup: JTG Racing co-owner Tad Geshickter said he hopes to name the team's full driver lineup by Labor Day, or soon after. Whether current Busch drivers Jon Wood and Stacy Compton remain is the series is yet to be determined. JTG is high on truck drivers Bobby East and Marcus Ambrose, and the team wants to move Wood to Nextel Cup.(NASCAR Scene)(8-24-2006)

Bailey New Crew Chief at Biagi-DenBeste: Len Batycki and Joe Dan Bailey have joined Biagi-DenBeste racing. Batycki, a veteran motorsports executive, will serve as team persident while Bailey will handle crew chief duties for the #4 Dodge Busch Series team.(NASCAR Scene)(8-24-2006)

Jack Ingram Joins with Davis Motorsports: Jack Ingram and Johnny Davis announced that they have agreed to combine their talents into an all-out assault on the Busch Series for 2007. Initially Jack Ingram will become the consultant and mentor to the team. The team is seeking major sponsorship for the remainder of the '06 campaign and for 2007. Once such sponsorship is secured, the team will move operations to the Ingram shops in Asheville, NC to be closer to the engine shop. Jack Ingram will then assume the role of day-to-day operations manager as well as consultant.(Davis Motorsports PR)(8-23-2006)

Washington Mutual Sponsoring the #43 at California: UPDATE 2: Hearing that P.J. Jones is set to drive the #43 at Fontana with Washington Mutual on board as primary sponsor.(8-23-2006)UPDATE: Check out an image of the car on my Busch Series Paint Scheme Page.(8-23-2006)UPDATE: Curb Agajanian Performance Group announced today that Washington Mutual will sponsor the #43 CAPG Dodge to be driven by P.J. Jones at the Ameriquest 300 at California.(CAPG PR)(8-25-2006)

Ravenswood Wine Back on the #27 at Bristol: This is the final 2006 race that Ravenswood Winery will serve as the primary sponsor on Brewco’s #27 Busch Series entry. This week’s Associate Sponsor is Ingles Markets, Inc., a leading supermarket chain headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, which operates 197 supermarkets in six southeastern states.(Brewco PR)(8-23-2006)

Edwards Fined, Placed on Probation for Michigan Incident: UPDATE: NASCAR announced today that Carl Edwards, driver of the #60 in the Busch Series, has been fined and placed on probation due to a rule violation at Michigan. Edwards was fined $20,000 for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing: hitting another competitor’s car after the completion of the race) of the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series Rule Book. He was also placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2006.(NASCAR PR)(8-22-2006)UPDATE: Roush Racing announced today that Carl Edwards recognizes and accepts NASCAR's penalty and will not appeal. “I put everything I can into winning races,” stated Edwards. “I was wrecked and I reacted. It was wrong on my part. NASCAR penalized me and I respect that. Most importantly I apologize if I upset any of my fans or sponsors.”(Roush Racing PR)(8-22-2006)

DEI Drivers Plan to Split Busch Ride in 2007: UPDATE 2: Paul Menard said Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that Dale Earnhardt Inc. would likely run a full-time Busch Series team in 2007 for himself, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Martin Truex Jr.(SceneDaily.com)(8-4-2006)UPDATE: Richie Gilmore, DEI's director of motorsports, says DEI plans to run 26 Busch races next season between Menard, Martin Truex and Dale Earnhardt Jr.(Greensboro News-Record)(8-5-2006)UPDATE 2: Truex will be running in the GFS Marketplace 400 at Michigan amid rumors he's going to run the Busch Series again — but not alone. Dale Earnhardt Inc. plans to put a car on the track with himself Truex, Paul Menard and a driver to be named later, perhaps the out-of-work Steve Park. The four drivers will race for the owner's points championship. It appears that only the fourth driver is in question.(Asbury Park Press)(8-22-2006)

Schrader Back in the #66 at Bristol: Ken Schrader returns to Brewco Motorsports for the first time since April 29 at Talladega. The #66 Ford is running a Yard-Man paint scheme this week. (Brewco PR)(8-22-2006)

Sorenson to Drive NicoDerm CQ Smart Control Paint Scheme: The #41 Busch entry will take on a new look this weekend at Bristol to represent NicoDerm CQ Smart Control—which is a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) nicotine patch that helps smokers, who wish to quit smoking, work through their withdrawal from nicotine. The special paint scheme is the third run of a five-race partnership between GSK and the CGRFS Busch team.(CGRFS PR)(8-22-2006)

Power Equipment Sponsoring Mac Hill at Bristol: Power Equipment, Knoxville headquartered equipment dealer, will be onboard with the Mac Hill Motorsports #56 Chevy and driver Kevin LePage when the green flag drops on the Food City 250 at Bristol. Power Equipment has agreed to a one race deal as primary sponsor for the Mac Hill Motorsports team. In addition to a full line of equipment sales and rentals, Power Equipment offers 24/7 service powered by a fleet of service trucks equipped with air compressors, welders, cranes and specialized tools for on-site diagnostic and repairs service.(Power Equipment PR)(8-22-2006)

Ryan Newman Back in Busch Again this Weekend: Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Alltel “Fastap” Dodge Charger, will make his fourth NASCAR Busch Series start at Bristol on Friday night and his 30th in the series. After starting third in last year’s race, Newman went on to win the rain interrupted Food City 250 in August 2005.(Penske Racing PR)(8-22-2006)

Triad Packaging Featured on the #20 This Week: On the decklid this weekend is associate sponsor Triad Packaging. Triad Packaging is a long time associate on the #20 car celebrating it’s fourth year in NASCAR Busch Series Racing. Triad Packaging, headquartered in Bristol, TN, provides its customers unique and cost effective packaging solutions.(Rockwell Automation Racing PR)(8-22-2006)

Raybestos Rookie Notes for Bristol: Danny O’Quinn Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the CARFAX 250 at Michigan. O’Quinn Jr. finished 20th and took top rookie honors for the fifth time in 2006. John Andretti leads Burney Lamar by six points (187-181) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Food City 250 at Bristol. Andretti is 12th in the Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.(Raybestos PR)(8-21-2006)

Skinner Back in the #12 at Bristol: Skinner and the Supercuts team head to Bristol this weekend as they prepare to do battle at the World's Fastest half-mile.(FBR PR)(8-21-2006)

Ward Wins WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Despite it being Robby Gordon’s first time behind the wheel of the #88 Navy Chevy, Wes Ward guided the team to a season-best finish in the Carfax 250. Gordon and Ward made a seamless transition into their newfound driver/crew chief relationship at Michigan and ended their day with third-place run. Ward’s performance earned him the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race award.(Wypall PR)(8-21-2006)

Jeff Purvis Injured in Highway Accident: UPDATE 4: Former NASCAR driver Jeff Purvis was injured in a crash on I-65 [in Alabama] that closed the highway for two hours, officials said Saturday. Purvis, from Clarksville, Tenn., was bound for Talladega, where he was to compete Saturday night in a Dirt Late Model Series race at Talladega Short Track. The crash occurred when a southbound vehicle crossed the median and collided with a northbound vehicle at Milepost 295 in the southern part of the county, state trooper spokesman Sgt. Tim Sartain told The Birmingham News. The total number of those injured was unclear Saturday night, but Sartain said the injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. Gene Washer, publisher and president of the Leaf Chronicle in Clarksville, Tenn., said he is close friends with Purvis' family and spoke with Purvis' wife, Margo, after the accident. "According to Margo, Jeff had two fractures in his neck and two fractures in his back,'' Washer said. "She was banged up a bit, his crew chief Matt Angel had a back injury, Jeff's son, Clay, had some bruised ribs and one of the crew members was cut up a little bit. But they all exited safely." Sartain said the injured were taken to Cullman Regional Medical Center. Washer said Jeff Purvis was later flown to Vanderbilt University Hospital and his wife said he appeared to be in good spirits. "She said he was talking and moving and everything when they were putting him on the helicopter,'' Washer said.(ESPN.com/AP)(8-5-2006)UPDATE: Purvis, along with his wife, Margo, son Clay, crew chief Matt Angel, and another Clarksville resident were heading toward Talladega for the Saturday night race when the accident occurred. Margo, who was not injured, told The Leaf-Chronicle publisher Gene Washer, the hauler veered out of control after the blown tire, crossed the medium into traffic, hitting two cars, then hit some tree before coming to a stop. Margo told Washer everybody exited safely, only seconds before the hauler burst into flames. The hauler, dirt track cars and equipment were a total loss. Purvis had two fractures in his neck and back, and was airlifted to Vanderbilt at 7:50 p.m. Clay had sore ribs, and Angel was wearing a neck brace, Margo said. Margo told Washer that Jeff was talking when he was loaded onto the helicopter. Margo said Clay was sleeping in a bunk when the wreck occurred. Jeff jumped up to protect Clay, and was tossed around the living quarters inside the hauler. Purvis returned to dirt track racing last season, after a nearly 20-year career in the ARCA, Busch and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.(Clarkville Leaf-Chronicle)(8-6-2006)UPDATE 2: Race driver Jeff Purvis was expected to be released from a Nashville hospital Sunday night and taken to his home in Clarksville for continued treatment of injuries sustained in a crash Saturday night on I-65 in Alabama. A Vanderbilt University Hospital spokeswoman said Purvis was listed as "a no-information" patient and could not give an update on his condition. Attempts to contact family members were unsuccessful.(Tennessean)(8-7-2006)UPDATE 3: Jeff Purvis is now at his Clarksville, TN home to begin the recovery process after being seriously injured in a highway accident on Saturday near Cullman, AL. Purvis, who competes with the StormPay.com Dirt Late Model Series, was visited today by series Founder and Director Mike Vaughn. "Jeff is now at home, sitting up and in good spirits," Vaughn reported. "He has fractures of his C1, and C5 vertebra in his neck, compression fractures of the T2 and T6 vertebra in his back, a separated sternum, and he has a gash in his head that took 24 staples to close. He has seen pictures of the aftermath of the accident and he's very thankful that no one lost their life in the accident." Those desiring to send get well wishes to Jeff Purvis may do so by E-mail at www.stormpayracing.com, or by regular mail in care of StormPay Racing, 1690 Golf Club Lane, Clarksville, TN 37043.(StormPayRacing.com PR)(8-9-2006)UPDATE 4: This time will he walk away from the sport that twice has almost cost him his life? Maybe. "After my 2002 Busch crash my head was in a halo (brace) and I had to rely on Margo to feed me," Purvis joked. "So when people would ask me if I would race again I had to say 'no' if I wanted to get fed. This time, I don't know what my plans are. The important thing right now is just to get everybody healed up." Now, after a second close call that would prompt most of us to take up checkers or bowling, will Purvis finally hang up his racing helmet? He makes no promise that he might not be able to keep.(Tennessean.com)(8-20-2006)

Wimmer looking for 2007? Hearing #4-Scott Wimmer is looking for a ride next season, as his contract with the #4-Morgan-McClure Motorsports team is a one-year deal thru 2006. Wimmer has fielded some offers from a couple of "pretty good" Busch Series teams, but hasn't committed to anything yet.(7-31-2006)UPDATE: Wimmer, who made his Nextel Cup debut in 2000, has qualified for 18 of the 21 [Cup] races this year. He said the Morgan-McClure Motorsports team does not have a sponsor for next season. Wimmer said he could end up in the Busch Series next year. "I don't have anything solid," Wimmer said. "I'm just trying to work sponsors and everything else like everybody is. It's been a little bit of a worry because we're getting towards the end of the season here and a lot of people have their stuff locked up and I'm still sitting with nothing."(SceneDaily.com)(8-20-2006)

McClure Picks Up Sponsor for Bristol: Fuel Freedom International will serve as Co-Primary sponsor on the #04 Chevy driven by Eric McClure in the upcoming Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Altamonte Springs, FL-based company is the world's sole distributor of MPG-CAPS™, a 100% organic engine conditioner that simultaneously improves fuel economy and power by creating a micro-thin coating on the combustion chamber in your engine, allowing your fuel to burn more efficiently.(McClure PR)(8-18-2006)

Keselowski to Drive for Keith Coleman at Bristol Brad Keselowski will make his first start on the NASCAR Busch Series for Keith Coleman Racing at Bristol. Keselowski has one career start at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile”, recording an 18th-place finish in 2005. He will also be the beneficiary of extra time on the track this year as he will be pulling double duty next weekend. In addition to racing for KCR, Keselowski will start in the #63 Truck for MB Motorsports in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 [CTS race] on Wednesday Aug. 23.(Keith Coleman Racing PR)(8-18-2006)

Phoenix Racing Expanding to 2 Teams, Switching to Chevys in 2007: Phoenix Racing owner James Finch said Friday that he will run two full-time Busch Series teams in 2007 and the team will switch from Dodge to Chevy. Mike Wallace will drive one of the cars, with a sponsor to be announced in October, Finch said. That car will be #7. Wallace replaced Jason Keller in Phoenix's #1 earlier this year. The driver of Finch's other car, the #1, is to be determined. One candidate is Cale Gale, a shock specialist for the team.(SceneDaily.com)(8-18-2006)

Haas CNC Racing Partners with MRD Motorsports: Haas CNC Racing and Craftsman Truck Series team MRD Motorsports have entered into an agreement for MRD Motorsports to be the driver development team for Haas CNC Racing. Haas CNC Racing currently fields the #66 Best Buy team in the Nextel Cup Series and the #00 Yellow Transportation team in the Busch Series. MRD Motorsports fields the #06 truck in the Craftsman Truck Series. MRD Motorsports is refocused for the driver selection process later this year and in preparation for the 2007 season. We will be a full time team starting in 2007." said MRD team owner Dave Malcolmson.(Haas CNC Racing PR)(8-18-2006)

Harvick to 'Buschwhacker' critics: Quit griping: Kevin Harvick is one of 24 drivers attempting to run in both the Busch Series and Nextel Cup events this weekend at Michigan. With the record number of "Buschwhackers" at Michigan, Harvick knows there will be talk about limiting the Cup drivers in the Busch Series. And he's going to have none of it. "They need to quit griping and start learning how to win," Harvick said. "That's what all of us had to do. This is not something that's new. It's just something that's more widespread through the media. "There's a couple of them that gripe about it more than others that have been here for a while that seem like they're on the coast-and-collect program so they just need to figure out how to win races and run better. That'd be what I would do." Harvick leads Carl Edwards by 443 points in the standings. The top six drivers in the standings are Nextel Cup regulars. "When I came in, Mark Martin was pretty much kicking everybody's butt, Jeff Burton [was also good]," Harvick said. "They were winning races and it wasn't really that big of a deal and now it's a big deal it seems like. "I've always been the type that if you get beat you need to figure out why. That's what I would do if I was them instead of worrying about how we can try to be more competitive with getting rid of people. That's not really the answer to things."(SceneDaily.com)(8-18-2006)

Bowyer Not Planning on Full Season in Busch in 2007: From the Raybestos [Nextel Cup] Rookie Press Confernece at Michigan: YOU PLANNING ON RUNNING A FULL BUSCH SERIES SCHEDULE NEXT YEAR? "I’m not planning on doing both. It was a lot of fun this year. It didn’t really wear me down as much as a lot of people warned that it would and threatened that it would. I enjoyed it, especially the races where we went back and forth. We have one more coming up, Atlanta and Memphis, so that will be a lot of fun. I thought those just showing up in the Busch car and kind of winging it and going for it made it interesting.”(Raybestos PR)(8-18-2006)

Martin Trying for Record Number of Busch Poles: Already the NASCAR Busch Series’ all-time leader in wins, Mark Martin returns to series competition this week at Michigan with another record within his grasp. If he captures Saturday’s Busch Pole, Martin will become the series’ all-time leader in that category. He’s currently tied with former series champion Tommy Ellis with 28 career Busch Poles. Michigan is the fifth scheduled NASCAR Busch Series race for Martin this season.(NASCAR PR)(8-17-2006)

SHeDAISY to Sing National Anthem at Michigan: Before their post-race concert at The Tailgate of a Lifetime on Saturday, August 19 at MIS, the country starlets from SHeDAISY will perform The Star-Spangled Banner during the pre-race ceremonies for the Busch Series Carfax 250.(Michigan Speedway PR)(8-17-2006)

Bobby Labonte in #66 This Weekend: Bobby Labonte returns to the Busch Series for his second start in the #66 Cub Cadet Ford this weekend at Michigan. Labonte finished 7th in the Michigan Busch race last season.(Brewco PR)(8-17-2006)

Riggs Returns to Busch Series at Michigan: Scott Riggs will run his fifth race in the #9 Ultimate Chargers Dodge this season. It will be the second race for primary sponsor Lawry's.(Evernham PR)(8-17-2006)

Michael Waltrip Racing Announces Plans for Remainder of Year: Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership and Michael Waltrip Racing announced today that David Reutimann will compete in six more NASCAR Busch Series races in the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine beginning with Bristol next week. Reutimann will also race at California, Richmond, Kansas, Texas and Homestead. Waltrip will return to the #99 Cottman Transmission car at Dover and then race the #99 Family Dollar car at Lowe’s and the #99 Jani-King car at Phoenix. A third driver, Joey Miller will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut in the #99 Aaron’s Dream Machine at Memphis.(Michael Waltrip Racing PR)(8-17-2006)

KCR Releases Carl Long: Keith Coleman Racing has released Carl Long from driving duties for the team’s #23 and #26 NASCAR Busch Series entries. “It was in the best interest of both parties,” said Keith Coleman, team owner. “We’re going to move forward as a team and Carl just didn’t fit with our overall direction.” A new driver has been signed and an announcement will be forthcoming. The team is taking this week off before competing in the Food City 250 next weekend in Bristol.(KCR PR)(8-16-2006)

McFarland Released from #88 Team: UPDATE 4: JR Motorsports announced today that Mark McFarland has been relieved of his driving duties of the #88 NAVY Accelerate Your Life Chevy. NASCAR Busch Series Champion Martin Truex Jr. will pilot the #88 at Watkins Glen International Raceway this weekend. “Mark was instrumental in getting our Busch program off the ground and he will always have a role in the history of JR Motorsports. But the reality is that as a business we have the responsibility of delivering a level of performance for our sponsors,” said Team Owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. “This change is being made to address that concern.”(JR Motorsports PR)(8-10-2006)UPDATE: Robby Gordon will likely drive at Michigan and California and Shane Huffman will likely drive the rest of the year in the #88 JR Motorsports Busch Series Chevy, team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Friday. Earnhardt Jr. said he postponed the decision to release McFarland about four or five times. Huffman, who drives for JR Motorsports in the Hooters Pro Cup Series, will drive the #88 car next season, Earnhardt Jr. said. Earnhardt Jr. said he has the blessing from Budweiser to run seven Busch races in 2007.(Scene Daily.com)(8-11-2006)UPDATE 2: Robby Gordon will take the helm of the #88 Navy Accelerate Your Life Chevy Monte Carlo SS for the Busch Series events at Michigan and California.(JR Motorsports)(8-14-2006)UPDATE 3: Shane Huffman will be named driver of the #88 Busch Series Chevy at JR Motorsports replacing Mark McFarland, team officials confirmed Monday.(Sporting News)(8-15-2006)UPDATE 4: JR Motorsports announced today that Shane Huffman will take over the helm of the #88 Navy Accelerate Your Life Chevry for the remainder of the 2006 NASCAR Busch Series season starting with next Friday’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. While Huffman awaits NASCAR approval to race at tracks larger than 1.5-miles, Robby Gordon will drive the #88 at Michigan and California.(JR Motorsports PR)(8-16-2006)

Hmiel admits to positive tests for marijuana, cocaine: In trying to collect his salary from last season, banned driver Shane Hmiel has had to admit that he violated NASCAR's substance abuse policy with a positive test for marijuana in 2003 and a positive test for marijuana and cocaine in 2005, this week's NASCAR Scene reports. Hmiel was suspended by NASCAR from September 2003 to January 2004 for the first failed test and then indefinitely after the second failed test in late May 2005. He was "suspended for life" after a third failed test, which was announced in February 2006. The admissions came in a filing in Hmiel's lawsuit against Busch Series team owner Todd Braun. Hmiel wants his paycheck for the time he drove for Braun in 2005 up until the time he was suspended in June 2005. According to the complaint, Hmiel says he is owed $135,513 for the races he drove and another $135,513 for bad faith dealings by Braun. As part of the lawsuit process, Hmiel had to answer questions from Braun, and those answers were filed last month in North Carolina court. Braun alleges that Hmiel knowingly and fraudulently signed a contract without revealing his physical condition. To prove that, Braun's attorneys asked for Hmiel to submit answers to pointed questions. In those answers, Hmiel admitted to using illegal drugs. He admitted that he "may have used marijuana on a regular basis" prior to September 2003, when he failed the first NASCAR test. He denied he was using drugs on a regular basis (at least once a week) in 2005. Braun asked if Hmiel had tested positive for heroin at any time from 2003-2005, and Hmiel denied that he had. In the filing, Hmiel attests that he was not under the influence of any drug at any time while he was racing, although admits the drugs were in his system.(SceneDaily.com)(8-16-2006)

Steve Wallace Expanding 2006 Busch Schedule: RWI Racing announced an extension to driver Steve Wallace’s 2006 NASCAR Busch Series schedule. Additions to the rookie’s schedule include Dover, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead. The additions to Wallace’s schedule will not interfere with #64 Top-Flite Dodge, driven by Jamie McMurray. Wallace will drive car #61; Steve Darne will lead the team.(RWI PR)(8-16-2006)

NASCAR Announces Watkins Glen Penalties: Two Busch Series crew chiefs have been fined by NASCAR as a result of rule violations during last Saturday's race at Watkins Glen. Todd Brewer, crew chief for the #25 Ford driven by Ashton Lewis Jr., and Dave Fuge Jr., crew chief for the #34 Chevrolet driven by Brian Simo, have both been fined $2,000 for violating Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 9-4-A (crew chief assumes responsibility for actions of team members); 9-15-G (permitting individuals without a proper NASCAR license into the car servicing area); and 20A-17B and 17.1A (entering the car servicing area without the proper safety equipment) of the 2006 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR PR)(8-16-2006)

Aarons' Returning to Michael Waltrip Racing in 2007: From a Michael Waltrip Q&A: "We’re really fortunate that we’ve been able to get Aaron’s to sign up to race the Busch Series next year."(8-16-2006)

McGill Motorsports Partners with RobotWorx; Jeff Green to Drive at Michigan: The McGill Motorsports #36 will have a different look for the second week in a row when the NASCAR Busch Series hits the track this Saturday for the Carfax 250 at the Michigan. The #36 will feature a unique blue and grey paint scheme of RobotWorx, an Ohio-based company that specializes in industrial robot integration. Past Busch Champion Jeff Green will pilot the Robots.com Chevy for the Carfax 250.(McGill Motorsports PR)(8-16-2006)

Mountain Dew Scheme for Vickers to Honor DW at MIS Busch race: In Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series race at Michigan International Speedway, Brian Vickers will pilot a #57 Mountain Dew Chevy identical to the green, white and red #11 that Darrell Waltrip drove to 11 pole positions, 12 victories and his first Winston Cup Series (now NEXTEL Cup) title in 1981. "This car brings back a lot of memories," said Waltrip, 59, now a television analyst for FOX Sports. "In a lot of ways, 1981 was a dream season, having been so close in the past and finally breaking through. Then we were able to carry that momentum into 1982 and win a second championship." Waltrip, in fact, had one of the most successful runs in NASCAR history over that two-year span, winning two of his three Cup titles thanks to an astounding 24 victories, 18 poles and 38 top-five results. In 61 starts, he finished outside the top-10 a mere 16 times. "To overcome what Darrell did in 1981 to win the championship was pretty amazing," said Vickers, 22, the 2003 Busch Series champion who drives for Hendrick Motorsports. "He made that run against some of the best drivers ever -- guys like Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty and Terry Labonte. The competition was fierce." Vickers is referencing the 341-point deficit Waltrip surmounted in the final 17 races of 1981 to catch eventual runner-up Allison. He posted eight wins and five second-place finishes during that stretch, sparking the biggest comeback in modern-era NASCAR. The final margin was 53 points. The significance of the achievement is not lost on team sponsor Mountain Dew, a brand with deep roots in the sport. It was featured on Waltrip's car for his first two championships and was the title sponsor of Darlington (S.C.) Raceway's Southern 500 for more than a decade. Coincidentally, Waltrip won the 1992 Labor Day weekend race, marking the first of 12 Mountain Dew Southern 500s. "We supported Darrell Waltrip 25 years ago and are proud to honor him today with this special paint-out," said John Galloway, vice president of sports, media and interactive, Pepsi-Cola North America. "Brian Vickers will help us commemorate this milestone in racing history as we continue our ongoing commitment to the sport." Mountain Dew is commemorating the silver anniversary of Waltrip's first title and its own 25- year racing history with a unique national promotion. Fans are invited to visit their local Mountain Dew retailer for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to meet Waltrip at the 2007 Daytona 500. It all kicks off this weekend at Michigan. "It'll be neat to see that Mountain Dew car on the track again," said Waltrip, who himself won a pair of Cup races at the two-mile Brooklyn, Mich., oval. "And it's pretty cool that Hendrick Motorsports is the team doing it because I have a lot of history there, too. Come to think of it, we should've won a fourth championship while I was with Rick. We had all the tools."(Hendrick Motorsports/Site PR see image of car there) or view the image on my Busch Series Paint Schemes Page.(8-16-2006)

L.D. Mechanical Contractors An Associate Sponsor for #01 Team: Keith Duesenberg & Leik Motorsports announced that L.D. Mechanical Contractors, Inc. of Franklin, Indiana will be an associate sponsor on the #01 Western Union Speed Team car driven by Jay Sauter for the Michigan race. This will be their third race as an associate sponsor.(Duesenberg & Leik Motorsports PR)(8-15-2006)

AutoZone Not Returning to ppc: UPDATE: After hearing that AutoZone, current sponsor of Kenny Wallace's No. 22 Busch Series entry was considering a change for 2007, ppc Racing officials confirmed to BGNRacing.com on Monday that the sponsor would be leaving and issued this statement: "AutoZone has notified ppc Racing that it will not be a full season primary sponsor in 2007. ppc Racing is interested in speaking with any parties who would like to talk about sponsorship of the #22 car, and join the top-performing Busch only team year after year.(BGNRacing.com)(8-14-2006)UPDATE: A statement from Kenny Wallace: "Andy O'Hara from ppc called me last night to inform me that AutoZone will not be returning next year on any race car full time. AutoZone felt that it was best if their advertising budget was best spent on commercial spots instead of on a race car. AutoZone did alot for us, they really helped us when the times were tough last year, and I would like to thank them for the effort and work they put in with our team. Anything I can do for AutoZone in the future, I will gladly help with, they have been a great sponsor. I will drive the #78 car next year full time in Cup, the #22 next year full time in Busch and still do my normal SpeedTV duties. I will say the phone has been very busy today with offers of full time BGN and Cup ride offers, but I am more then happy with my current teams and am glad I will be running a full season with each."(KennyWallace.com)(8-15-2006)

Lewis looking at other rides...including Cup: hearing that Ashton Lewis Jr. is talking to several Truck and Busch teams regarding 2007--and has some preliminary interest from a Cup team [no idea which one]. His current Busch team, #25 Team Rensi, would like Lewis back in 2007, if they can find a sponsor. Team Marines is leaving the team at the end of the 2006 season.(8-15-2006)

Bean to Make Busch Debut at Michigan with Jay Robinson Racing: Dexter Bean will be running his first Busch Series event at Michigan this weekend. BlackJack Racing, Jay Robinson Racing, and Five Star Telecom have come together to send this 19-year-old to the NASCAR Busch Series for his debut. Bean will be racing the #49 car owned by Jay Robinson Racing with primary sponsorship from Five Star Telecom, which is based in LaCrosse, WI.(Bean PR)(8-15-2006)

Associate Sponsors for ppc at Michigan: Meijer, in conjunction with Airplus Insoles, will serve as an associate sponsor on the #22 AutoZone Ford. Master Yacht Sales will again adorn the upper c-post in this weekend’s NBS race.(ppc PR)(8-15-2006)

Wilson Back with #21 Team this Weekend: Crew chief Shane Wilson will return this weekend at MIS after a six-race suspension for unapproved aerodynamic modifications on the #21 during post-qualifying inspection at Daytona.(Richard Childress Racing PR)(8-15-2006)

21 Cup Drivers in Michigan Busch Race: A record number of drivers will enter both the GFS Marketplace 400 and the Carfax 250 at Michigan International Speedway this weekend. 21 regular drivers from the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series are entered to compete in the Carfax 250.(Michigan Speedway PR)(8-15-2006)

Skinner Back in #12 at Michigan: Mike Skinner will make his fourth Busch Series start for FitzBradshaw Racing driving the #12 Supercuts Dodge in the Carfax 250 Saturday at Michigan.(FBR PR)(8-15-2006)

Raybestos Rookie Notes for Michigan: John Andretti was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen. Andretti finished fifth, his first top-five in 25 career Busch Series starts. He racked up his fourth top-10 finish of the season and took Raybestos® Rookie of the Race honors for the seventh time in 2006. Andretti took the lead in the Raybestos Rookie standings, grabbing the top spot away from Burney Lamar. Andretti leads Lamar by four points (184-180) entering the CARFAX 250 at Michigan. Andretti climbed two spots in the Busch standings with his top-five finish at Watkins Glen.(Raybestos PR)(8-15-2006)

Fan1st.com to Sponsor Braun Racing Team in 2007: Fan1st.com announced today that it will partner with Braun Racing and Edward Collins Motorsports in a joint venture for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season. Details will be announced in a press conference on September 30, 2006 at Kansas Speedway.(Braun Racing PR)(8-14-2006)

CarFax on the #64 at Michigan: UPDATE: Steve Wallace returns to the driver’s seat of RWI Racing’s #64 entry sporting the colors of CarFax for the Busch Series’ CarFax 250 at Michigan.(RWI PR)(8-8-2006)UPDATE: RWI Racing is pleased to add CARFAX to their roster of sponsors. RWI Racing’s #64 entry driven by Steve Wallace will sport the colors of CARFAX in the Busch Series’ CARFAX 250 on August 19 at Michigan.(RWI PR)(8-14-2006)

Bruce Wins Wypall Wipers Crew Chief of the Race: Boris Said’s chances of finishing in the top-10 seemed doomed after a stop-and-go penalty relegated the road course ace to the back of the pack in Saturday’s Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International. But thanks to a risky pit strategy from crew chief Trip Bruce, Said made up his lost track position and closed out the day with an eighth-place finish. Bruce’s performance earned him the WYPALL Wipers Crew Chief of the Race. The #9 Ingersoll Rand Dodge experienced brake problems early in the event, which caused Said to overshoot the inner loop section of the track on lap 6. Said served a pass through penalty the following lap, which moved him from sixth-place to the 35th position. Since the team was near their pit window, Bruce made the call to bring Said in for service on lap 8, but elected not to change the tires. The decision to forego fresh Goodyears put Said back up front and allowed him to score a top-10 finish.(Wypall PR)(8-13-2006)

Robby Gordon's shocks cleared: NASCAR Busch Series Director Joe Balash said Sunday morning that there are no issues remaining with the shocks from Robby Gordon's car. Gordon finished second in the Zippo 200 on Saturday at Watkins Glen. NASCAR took his shocks to do an extensive evaluation Saturday."We found that there were no issues and returned them back to the team," Balash said Sunday morning. "Our shock guys, when they do their inspections, they look at everything. They need to make comparisons to our board [of specifications] and make comparisons to our part numbers and those type of things. That's all we had to do, do a thorough process and we've done that and there [were] no problems."(SceneDaily.com)(8-13-2006)

Joey Miller to Make Busch Debut at Memphis: Joey Miller is scheduled to make his NASCAR Busch Series debut in the #99 Aaron´s Dream Machine fielded by Michael Waltrip Racing at Memphis Motorsports Park this October. The 21-year-old is also competing in the #12 Curb Records Toyota Tundra at Bristol Motor Speedway this month, but his team will not participate in the remaining NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events due to lack of sponsorship.(Waltrip PR)(8-11-2006)

Hamlin Plans to Cut Back Busch Schedule Next Year: WHAT ARE YOUR BUSCH SERIES PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR? “We’re going to try to cut back a little bit, try to run 15, 20, 25 races and just concentrate on this Cup car. We found out through the entire season that whatever weekend I could run just one series and concentrate on one I’ve run better in that series. I think it’s going to be a benefit next year just running one at certain racetracks. I definitely feel like it’s helped me this year for sure. It’s given me extra track time on tracks I’ve never been to before. On the other hand, there’s races like this weekend where you’ve got five minutes in between practices. You can’t sit down with your crew chief; take the time to figure out what’s wrong with the car. You’ve got to rush over to the other side. By then you either forget it or you loose track of where you’re at. It’s definitely something where we feel like it’s going to be better in the future to just cut back.”(Raybestos PR)(8-11-2006)

Keith Coleman Racing Picks up Two Associate Sponsors: Wet-Line Extreme Styling Gel and Seman Baker have joined Keith Coleman Racing as associate sponsors on the #23 Chevy driven by Eduardo Troconis. Seman Baker manufactures and rents large scale tents and temporary shelters for special events. Wet-Line Extreme Styling Gel is part of a premiere product line of male grooming products based in Mexico. Both sponsors will make their debut with Troconis at Watkins Glen and move forward with the team for the remainder of the 2006 season.(Keith Coleman Racing PR)(8-10-2006)

Grissom Joins DLP Racing: Steve Grissom has joined DLP Racing to pilot the un-sponsored #07 Chevy for the 2006-2007 NASCAR Busch Series season. SUN Management Group, Inc. will be exclusively handling the sponsorship acquisition for the 2006 - 2007 racing season. SUN will also be handling all of the public and media relations, advertising, and marketing for DLP. Total Sponsorship package is $15,000,000 for 70 races, including all of the NASCAR Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series races. DLP Racing has a rich history of catering to their sponsors. With an advertising package that can be adjusted to each individual corporation, it’s a “win-win” combination. Team owner, Robert Drake’s, mission is simple: “Our goal is to field for our Sponsors and Fans, competitive race cars on a consistent basis with the goal of winning races and championships. Our expectation is that we will see in our growth and success, things that would have never been accomplished except by the faithfulness and support of our Sponsors and the Lord.”(EMediaWire)(8-10-2006)NOTE: No word on if/when the team plans to attempt a race.

Marines Leaving #25 Team: UPDATE: After six seasons with the United States Marine Corps serving as the lead marketing partner for the #25 Team Rensi Motorsports Ford Fusion, the organization will begin a sponsorship search for the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series season. The longtime Busch Series team was notified of the Marine Corps decision this past week. The Marine Corps stated: “The Marine Corps has decided to reduce it's investment in motorsports and does not plan to return to the NASCAR Busch Series as the primary advertiser of the #25 car next season."(Team Rensi PR)(8-7-2006)UPDATE: [Rensi Co-owner Gary] Weisbaum didn't know where the Marines would be headed but said the service had filed a request for proposal for either a part-time Nextel Cup program or a Busch program. Team Rensi Vice President Ronnie Russell said the team would market Ashton Lewis Jr. and the #25 as a package to potential sponsors but added that the team is open to other drivers and sponsor combinations if necessary. Russell said the team wants to field three cars next year if sponsorship can be found. One of those cars could be the #90 as part of the alliance with Robert Yates Racing. The contract of Regan Smith is set to be signed before the race at Watkins Glen, Russell said. McDonald's has already re-signed to sponsor that team.(NASCAR Scene)(8-10-2006)

ESPN to Use Same TV Crew for Busch and Cup Races: The announcers fans will see on ABC and ESPN beginning next year are still to be determined. What has been determined is that fans will see those announcers whether it's in the Busch Series or Nextel Cup Series. ESPN has decided on using one announcing crew for both series when it begins coverage in 2007.(NASCAR Scene)(8-10-2006)

Indianapolis Busch Race One Week Earlier Next Year As Well: O'Reilly Raceway Park's Kroger SpeedFest next year will be July 26-28. U.S. Auto Club Silver Crown cars and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Busch series will race one week earlier than they did this year, as will the Nextel Cup cars at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.(Indianapolis Star)(8-10-2006)

Raybestos Rookie Notes for Watkins Glen: Danny O’Quinn Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Kroger 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park. O’Quinn Jr. grabbed a sixth-place finish, his best effort in 23 career Busch Series starts. He scored his third top 10 of the 2006 season and took Raybestos Rookie of the Race honors for the fourth time. Burney Lamar leads the Raybestos Rookie standings by just three points over John Andretti (177-174) entering the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen. Andretti is 13th in the NASCAR Busch Series championship standings, best of any Raybestos Rookie.(Raybestos PR)(8-9-2006)

Kraft Foods Sponsoring Jourdain: KRAFT Foods and its KRAFT Singles brand will sponsor the #15 ppc Racing Ford Fusion race team at Watkins Glen. Jourdain is one of 10 NASCAR drivers that are part of Team KRAFT Racing in ’06. 2006 marks KRAFT Foods’ second year supporting Jourdain’s efforts in stock car racing.(ppc PR)(8-9-2006)

VisitPA.com Sponsoring the #43 at Watkins Glen: On board as a sponsor of the #43 CAPG Dodge this weekend is www.VisitPA.com, the official tourism Web site of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.(CAPG PR)(8-9-2006)

Mike Wallace Signs Three Year Sponsor Deal: UPDATE Mike Wallace confirmed with Motorsports Lounge that he has a sponsorship agreement in place that will put him behind the seat of a NASCAR Busch Series race car for the next three seasons. "I have signed a contract with a sponsor for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 NASCAR Busch Series seasons," said Team ML driver Mike Wallace. "It is a done deal. We are currently exploring what team to take this partnership to." Wallace wouldn't expand on who the sponsor was or what teams he was looking to drive for with the sponsor at this time, but he did confirm that the contract is between him and the sponsor, and both are a package deal. "When we decide on a team to take this deal to, it should be pretty exciting."(Motorsports Lounge PR)(7-21-2006)UPDATE: Mike Wallace confirmed that he will be making an announcement regarding his future in NASCAR. "We will be making an announcement October 13th here at Lowe's Motor Speedway," said Team ML driver Mike Wallace. "That is all I can say at this time."(MotorsportsLounge.com PR)(8-9-2006)

Bristol Sells More than 100,000 Tickets for Busch Race: It's no secret that the most popular Busch Series events NASCAR serves up are the two races held each year at Bristol Motor Speedway. Twice a year, diehard race fans make their way to "The World's Fastest Half-Mile" to enjoy some of the sport's most exciting races – and they do it in record numbers. Since August of 1999, Bristol Motor Speedway has sold more than 100,000 tickets to 15 consecutive Busch Series events, including the Food City 250 coming up on August 25. Routinely, that number exceeds 110,000. Crowds in excess of 100,000 are few and far between at most Busch Series events. At BMS, however, tickets to the Sharpie MINI 300 in March and the Food City 250, are in high demand.(Bristol Motor Speedway PR)(8-8-2006)

Davis Motorsports Shutting Down at End of Year: UPDATE: Kertus Davis said his father, Johnny, will be forced to close the doors on the family-owned Davis Motorsports team at the end of the season because "we're way in debt." "We don't want to start off the season in debt next year because we started off the season this year in debt," Davis said July 29. "He's fixing to be 51 years old in October and has no retirement. It's just me, my father and one other full-time employee. We're working day and night just to be here."(SceneDaily.com)(8-2-2006)UPDATE: In a phone call Monday morning, Kertus Davis said that he in no way meant to imply that that the family-owned team was going to "close the doors at the end of the season". Johnny Davis commented: "We have no intention of closing down this operation. We have worked hard and invested heavily in the Busch Series. But, we will not start 2007 as we did in '06. Sponsorship is the key. We are a team ready to make a big splash". Johnny further stated: "I'm preparing to make a major announcement in the next few days certainly by Bristol."(Johnny Davis Motorsports PR)(8-8-2006)

Fernandez Named One of Mexico's Most Influential: Adrián Fernández is more than just a race car driver. And now a national magazine in his native Mexico has once again acknowledged his popularity, naming him one of the 300 most influential people in the country. The July issue of Lideres Mexicanos placed Fernández on an accomplished list of his fellow countrymen, joining leaders in numerous categories including science, culture, media, entertainment, sports, politics, public opinion and business. It is the fourth time Fernández has been part of this elite list, having been selected in 2001, 2002 and 2005.(Motorsport.com)(8-8-2006)

Fernandez in the #57 at Watkins Glen: [Kyle] Busch will have an experienced teammate this weekend at Watkins Glen International. Road racing ace Adrian Fernandez, who appeared for Hendrick Motorsports earlier this season in his native Mexico City, will drive the #57 Lowe's Chevy in Saturday's Busch Series event.(Hendrick PR)(8-8-2006)

Newman to Drive #02 at Watkins Glen: Ryan Newman, driver of the #02 Penske Truck Rental Dodge Charger, will make his second NASCAR Busch Series start at Watkins Glen International on Saturday and his 29th in the series. Newman is the defending champion of the Zippo 200. With Newman using the #02 on his race car this weekend, he returns to the number that appeared on his NASCAR Cup and Busch Series cars in 2002 when he drove his precedent setting ABC schedule. This is the first time Newman has used the number since that season when he won his inaugural Busch race at Michigan.(Penske Racing PR)(8-8-2006)

Ron Fellows Back in the #33 at Watkins Glen: Ron Fellows will take the wheel of the #33 Outdoor Channel Chevrolet for the second time this season. Fellows drove the #33 at Autodromos Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City earlier this year. Fellows will pull double-duty this weekend at Watkins Glen. He will drive the #32 Tide Chevy in Sunday’s Nextel Cup event for PPI.(KHI PR)(8-7-2006)

Contreras Back in the #12 at Watkins Glen: Road course specialist Carlos Contreras returns to the #12 Dodge along with primary sponsor Goulds Pumps as the Busch Series heads to Watkins Glen.(FitzBradshaw Racing PR)(8-7-2006)

Larry Foyt done driving - Foyt Auction news: Larry Foyt, who ran 66 NASCAR Busch Series races during the 2001/2002 seasons and 23 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races in 2003/2004, has not been seen since except for the past three Indianapolis 500 mile IndyCar races. It seems father, A.J. Foyt has recently decided it is time for Larry to step up and take a lead in the family business whether it's what he wants or not. “(A.J.) knew I didn’t want to quit driving, so that’s hard,” Larry said. “But, realistically, am I going to get a good ride? Probably not. At first it was tough for me to swallow, because I didn’t want to quit driving. But in the long run it will be a good opportunity. I’m just learning right now, hanging out. I certainly don’t want to be the boss’ son coming in here trying to run things. I’m just watching how A.J. wants things done, watch our people and other teams. We just have to start taking our operation to the next level." Complete public auction liquidation for A.J. Foyt Racing, Mooresville, N.C. will be August 23 - August 27, 2006. Pictures and information can be found by seeing sentmanauctions.com.(Insider Racing)(8-6-2006)

Riley-D'Hondt Motorsports Plans 2 Busch Teams in 2007: Today marks the introduction of a new NASCAR motorsports organization combining the best of NASCAR experience with cutting-edge technology and engineering skills, Riley-D'Hondt Motorsports, LLC (RDM). Based out of Mooresville, North Carolina, RDM will be fully operational by the 2007 season, with an expected two teams in the NASCAR Busch Series, as well as a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series team competing in as many as five Nextel Cup "Car of Tomorrow" events. "We're ideally going to start off with three teams - two Busch Series and one part-time Nextel Cup team in 2007," said Eddie D'Hondt, co-founder, co-owner and general manager, Riley-D'Hondt Motorsports. "Right now we don't know to what extent each of these teams will participate in the 2007 season - as sponsorship unfolds, we will revise our schedules. RDM's goal is to become a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series powerhouse within five years, with up to four teams in contention for the Nextel Cup championship." D'Hondt's RDM co-founder and co-owner is Bill Riley of Riley Technologies, a premier motorsports engineering and manufacturing organization, which is in the process of moving its operations from Speedway, Indiana to Mooresville. Among many other projects, Riley Technologies builds winning competition vehicles, including Daytona Prototypes for the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. Full sponsor, vehicle manufacturer and driver rosters are to be announced in the very near future. RDM is currently in negotiations with all parties. The racing model for RDM is to run at least one NASCAR Busch Series team in concert with one to four NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams. The goal of the Busch Series effort will be to win races while creating a sustainable source of talent and engineering solutions to the Nextel Cup team(s). The Busch Series team(s) will focus on future driver development, as well as shock and suspension development. RDM is co-owned by four principals: D'Hondt, Bill Riley, Bob Riley and Jim Matthews. Bob Riley, Bill's father and founder/owner of Riley Technologies, will operate as RDM's engineering director, with Bill's assistance. Matthews, a sports car racing star, will assist the team with business matters and lend his road-racing experience to RDM's driver roster as needed. Based out of the motorsports industry-filled Talbert Point Business Park in "Race City U.S.A.," Mooresville, North Carolina, RDM is co-owned by Eddie D'Hondt and Bill Riley with additional ownership by Bob Riley and Jim Matthews. RDM is currently under development and will be ready for the 2007 NASCAR season. RDM will initially be housed in and adjacent to the 40,000 square foot Riley Technologies facility. Sponsorship and investment opportunities abound at Riley-D'Hondt Motorsports, and the team is actively searching for investors and marketing partners for the 2007 season and beyond.(Riley-D'Hondt Motorsports/RDM/Autopasse Inc. PR)(8-4-2006)

#19 ConAgra Foods Team to Make Season Debut at IRP: The ConAgra Foods Racing #19 Banquet Chevy will hit the tracks for the first time this season at the Busch Series race in Indianapolis. Behind the wheel will be Aric Almirola of Joe Gibbs Racing. The #19 will also appear at the following Busch series races: Bristol, Richmond, Kansas City, Texas, and Phoenix. Tony Stewart will take over the wheel of the #19 Banquet car for Almirola at Texas.(ConAgra Foods PR)(8-4-2006)

Harvick Questions NASCAR's Appeal Process: Kevin Harvick blasted NASCAR and its appeal process after his Busch Series team lost an appeal of penalties assessed to the #77 team after the June 30 race at Daytona. The National Stock Car Racing Commission denied KHI's appeal Tuesday, ruling that the penalties were "are consistent with a recent upward adjustment of penalty levels in the NASCAR Busch Series." But as part of the denial, the commission stated that "a base plate in the shock absorber is specifically prohibited by the rules in the NASCAR Busch Series." Harvick was furious over that statement, since the penalty was for "unapproved shock absorber components; base valves not permitted," as stated in the rule book. "It's not a plate, it's a valve," Harvick said. "They went way out of their way in their statement to refer to a base plate and they went way out their way to say that there's nothing that matters when an appeal is heard. But it does matter if you're on suspension. "Just sounds like a lot of excuses and a pretty shaky process to me." Harvick's team didn't appeal the penalty, only the severity of the penalty. "It's hard when you have three series, and one of them is the same and one of them have different rules," Harvick said. "Mistakes happen, and we made a mistake. I don't know that they know their own rules enough to understand what their own shock rules are." Stacy Johnson will crew chief for Lamar this weekend at O'Reilly Raceway Park, and the team will decide who will crew chief the next five races. (SceneDaily.com)(8-4-2006)

Villeneuve signed with NASCAR team? no....Tagliani yes? Jacques Villeneuve must now forget formula 1, even if the 1997 champion of the world refuses to believe in it. According to information's obtained by the Newspaper of Montreal, Villeneuve could be in NASCAR as soon as next year. According to received information, Villeneuve has already signed a conditional agreement with a NASCAR team if he does not find a ride in Formula 1. Villeneuve would spend a first season in the Busch series so that he can be familiarized with the world of the professional stock car before reaching the Nextel Series.BUT Jacques Villeneuve did not sign anything in NASCAR. The person in charge for the public relations of the Canadian driver contradicted Friday the news of the Newspaper of Montreal. Yan Lefort clearly explained the steps of Villeneuve to find a ride in 2007. "Jacques asked his entourage to take information and to make research concerning all the options which could be offered to him for the future, Mr. Lefort specifies. Options being absolute priority BMW and F1; option 2 elsewhere, and elsewhere it has there only the NASCAR which interests it. Therefore, there are contacts in F1 as in NASCAR, but there is no preliminary agreement as it is mentioned in the Newspaper of Montreal this morning."
Another driver from Quebec, Alexandre Tagliani declared Thursday that he had offers on the table for two races in Busch series this year and that it was probably going to agree to try the experiment.(Translated and Paraphrased from French thru Google from radiocanada.ca and canoe.com)(8-4-2006)

Garvey Looking for Busch Ride?: Mike Garvey is out of a Nextel Cup ride. His former team, [#51] Competitive Edge Motorsports, has been idled, and the sponsor, Marathon Oil has switched to Kyle Petty's #45 Dodge. But Garvey said Thursday that that's not all bad. Even though he qualified for four races this year he had grown weary of trying to race without enough funds, equipment, testing or crew members. "We did the best we could with what we had," Garvey said. He said he's talking to some teams about running some Busch races later this season, and he plans to run either Busch or Hooters Pro Cup next year.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(8-4-2006)

SHeDAISY to Perform after Michigan Busch Race: SHeDAISY, whose recently released album “Fortuneteller’s Melody” has received widespread acclaim with two Top 40 Country singles in 2006, will headline the post-race concert performance at The Tailgate of a Lifetime™ after the conclusion of the Carfax 250 on August 19. The show will also feature country newcomers Cowboy Crush and Hunter Brucks.(Michigan Speedway PR)(8-3-2006)

Yates Considering Options for McCall and Diercks: Robert Yates Racing will make a decision on the future of development drivers Matt McCall and Justin Diercks by the end of the year, co-owner Doug Yates said. "By year's end, we have to make a decision on whether we're going to go further with those two guys. [They're] great guys. If we were not to do anything with them, hopefully we have brought them to a point where other people will consider them." McCall has driven five races in Yates' #90 Ford, with a best finish of 24th. Diercks has run four races for ML Motorsports, with a best finish of 28th.(NASCAR Scene)(8-3-2006)

Wolfe New Crew Chief for FBR: Paul Wolfe has taken over as crew chief for FitzBradshaw Racing's #12 Dodge, moving from the team's Busch East team for driver Ruben Pardo.(NASCAR Scene)(8-3-2006)

H57 Hoodia to Sponsor ML Motorsports at Indy: H57 Hoodia will be sponsoring their first Busch Series car at O’Reilly Raceway Park. H57 Hoodia and ML Motorsports [#70 with driver Justin Diercks] will debut their H57 Hoodia car this weekend.(ML Motorsports PR)(8-3-2006)

Ted Musgrave in #14 at IRP: Defending Craftsman Truck Series champion Ted Musgrave has been tapped by FitzBradshaw Racing to pilot the #14 Family Dollar car in the Kroger 200. Musgrave's last Busch race was in September 2004 at Richmond.(FBR PR)(8-3-2006)

Skinner Back in the #12 This Weekend: Mike Skinner will once again pilot the #12 Supercuts Dodge for FitzBradshaw Racing in Saturday's Kroger 200 at O'Reilly Raceway Park.(FBR PR)(8-3-2006)

Diversified Partners and Kroger on the #43 at IRP: After a four-race hiatus, the #43 team comes to O'Reilly Raceway Park with driver P.J. Jones behind the wheel. As it was at Daytona, on board as a sponsor of the #43 CAPG Dodge this weekend is Scottsdale, Ariz.-based real estate developer Diversified Partners. Kroger is also on board with the #43 CAPG team this weekend.(CAPG PR)(8-3-2006)

Simo to Drive for Cicci at Watkins Glen: Cicci will return to the Busch Series at Watkins Glen. Road racer Brain Simo will drive the #34 Chevy. The 2000 Trans-Am champion marks the 10th driver Cicci has used this season. Cicci said he his still trying to find a primary sponsor for the Glen event. Cicci said Chemung native Todd Bodine, who drove in two events for him this year, is likely to do another race for the team before the season ends. (Elmira Star-Gazette)(8-3-2006)

Troncis to Make Busch Debut at Watkins Glen: Mexico native Eduardo Troconis will make his first start on the NASCAR Busch Series at Watkins Glen. Troconis will drive the #23 Chevy for Keith Coleman Racing in his first event of his two year contract with the team.(Keith Coleman Racing PR)(8-2-2006)

FinishMaster on Hood of Kluever's Car at Indy: Roush Racing announced today that FinishMaster Automotive and Industrial Paint has signed on to sponsor the #99 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Ford of Erik Darnell this weekend at O'Reilly Raceway Park. As a result of their partnership with 3M, FinishMaster will also have their logo on the hood of the #06 Ford of Todd Kluever.(Roush Racing PR)(8-2-2006)

#77 appeal to be heard today: UPDATE: The appeal by Kevin Harvick Racing´s #77 Busch series team of the penalties handed down against Crew Chief Gene Nead at Daytona is scheduled to be held Tuesday. Nead was suspended for six races and fined $15,000 for unapproved shock absorber components. The infraction was found during post race inspection on June 30. As a result, driver Burney Lamar lost 50 Busch Series points while car owner DeLana Harvick was docked 50 points as well. At Chicagoland, Kevin Harvick said his plans were to be out of town during the hearing. "I have people that do that stuff and they didn´t think it was 100% right. They´re preparing it and I´ll watch."(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(8-1-2006)UPDATE: On August 1, 2006, the National Stock Car Racing Commission heard and considered the appeal of Kevin Harvick, Inc. regarding the #77 Busch car. The appeal concerned three penalties issued by NASCAR following post-race inspection on June 30, 2006 for the Busch Series event at Daytona. The Appellants did not contest the infraction, but appealed the severity of the penalties. In deciding the Appeal, the Commission considered several factors. The Appellants presented a plausible scenario to explain the base valve being in the shock absorber due to a series of miscommunications in their race shop. However, a base plate in the shock absorber is specifically prohibited by the rules in the NASCAR Busch Series. The Commission notes the crew chief was already on probation, and the car owner and driver had each been penalized 25 championship points earlier in the season, for another rules violation. The Commission reaffirms that penalties are not predetermined, but are based on the nature, extent and circumstances of specific violations. Similarly, if NASCAR determines that the general range or relative levels of penalties are no longer having the desired effect as a deterrent, infractions are proliferating, and/or a team has had multiple violations, then NASCAR can and should adjust penalty levels accordingly. The Commission finds that these penalties are consistent with a recent upward adjustment of penalty levels in the NASCAR Busch Series, as well as correct for the nature and circumstances of the infraction.(NASCAR PR)(8-2-2006)

Edwards Could be Only Driver Doing Double Duty in 2007: Carl Edwards wants to run both the full Nextel Cup and Busch Series schedules again in 2007 but Roush Racing's plans for next year are not solidified. Edwards is the only one of seven drivers who currently drive in both series who has expressed a desire to do so again next year. Both Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer have said in the past they won't do both full schedules, while Reed Sorenson, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin said at Gateway that they don't want to do both. J.J. Yeley wants to run 20-25 races in conjunction with his full Cup schedule, but said he would run for the Busch championship given the right sponsor. Edwards could join Roush Racing teammate Todd Kluever in doing both series in '07. Kluever has said he wants to do both. Sorenson said July 28 he wanted to run 15-20 races for Chip Ganassi Racing, but "definitely not the whole season." Busch said July 29 he'd like to have the Gateway weekend off in '07 and that he probably would not run the full Busch season. Joe Gibbs Racing runs two full-time teams for Hamlin and Yeley, and Hamlin said July 29 that "maybe we can work out a deal where me and J.J. could share a car and get Aric [Almirola] up here full-time."(SceneDaily.com)(8-2-2006)

NASCAR Confiscates Shocks from #36 Team: UPDATE 2: NASCAR confiscated the front shocks on Tim Sauter's #36 Chevy after Saturday night's Busch Silver Celebration 250 at Gateway . NASCAR spokesperson Tracey Judd said the shocks will be "evulauted further" at NASCAR's research and development center in Concord, N.C. Sauter's McGill Motorsports Chevrolet was one of the random cars NASCAR picked to be inspected after the race. Any penalties would be announced early this week.(SceneDaily.com)(7-30-2006)UPDATE: NASCAR announced today penalties and fines that have been issued among two NASCAR Busch Series teams as a result of rule violations at Gateway. Ricky Pearson, crew chief for the #36 Chevy driven by Tim Sauter, was fined $15,000 and suspended from NASCAR for the next two events beginning with the Aug. 5 race at O'Reilly Raceway Park for violating Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules: Section 20A-12.3-I (unapproved shock absorber piston bleed holes). The violations were discovered during post-race inspection on July 29. Additionally, Sauter will lose 50 NASCAR Busch Series driver points and team owner John McGill will forfeit 50 NASCAR Busch Series owner points. Also, Greg Tester, crew chief for the #71 Chevy driven by Ron Young, was fined $2,000 violation of Sections 12-4-A and 12-4-Q (Section 20A-12.1A(8) (jacking bolt must be made of solid magnetic steel). The violation was discovered during opening-day inspection on July 28.(NASCAR PR)(8-1-2006)UPDATE 2: McGill Motorsports announced that they will formally appeal the penalties levied against the team for the use of unapproved shock absorbers at Gateway. "McGill Motorsports does not have a shock specialist on its staff,” said John McGill. “We have a shock absorber lease program with a third party. While we do not build the shocks in-house, we accept the responsibility for our suppliers and we are not disputing that the parts do not conform to the rules.” The supplier of the shocks acknowledges that the parts used were legal in both the Cup and Truck Series and was an oversight that those parts were not within the Busch Series rulebook. “The supplier of the shock absorbers is standing behind their products and will participate in the appeal,” added McGill.(McGill PR)(8-1-2006)